Atreyu "The Artist" (100kms review)

Hello folks,

today is review day and what else can we talk about apart from the exceptionally well priced Atreyu carbon shoes?

For a quick wrap-up of Atreyu ("the company"), see my first post on the base model and that will explain the incredible story behind this brand or simply give a look at @atreyu to know more about the guy behind it.

THE DESIGN ORIGIN

So what's so special about this shoe? The first usable carbon sole shoe was well marketed by the 'comma' company we all know and behind Eliud's world record. Sooo well marketed that they charge you a beefed-up amount of money for the innovation but wait? What's a carbon sole shoe by the way? 

- An outsole ✅

- A midsole ✅

- A slim carbon plate ✅

- An upper shoe mesh ✅

- and..? 🤔

That's basically it. Ok let's give credit to the R&D behind it and the company who helped spread out this innovation but from a material cost perspective it doesn't make sense to pay 250$ for it. 

THE QUEST

It started with some researches and at the time there was not so many players in this market (yet) but here were a few:

• Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2: 211g - 250$

• Saucony Endorphin Pro: 239g - 200$

• Asics Metaspeed Sky: 209g - 250$

• New Balance Fuel Cell RC Elite: 221g - 225$

• Brooks Hyperion Elite 2: 229g - 250$

• Hoka RocketX: 224g - 180$

For each of these, I would recommend to see separately their respective reviews and comments but from the list here, they have one thing in common.. the hefty price tag!

THE ARTIST

Here comes "The Artist" Atreyu shoes. Why this name? I don't know but maybe its creator has put so much passion and love when crafting it, hence gave it this name (well that's the idea I have of it but better to check with @michaelkrajicek directly)

High stack but not crazy high

THE SPECS

• Price: 100$

• Weight: 8.1 oz / 230 gr (M9/W10.5)

• Carbon plated: Yes (full length carbon plate)

• Midsole foam: Supercritical EVA

• Heel: 30 mm

• Toe: 24 mm

• Heel drop: 6 mm

THE RIDE

It was my first ever carbon sole plated shoe tried and to be honest the first impression was not a good one. It felt floppy, a mix of instability due to the high stack and probably the carbon plate so thus was a very strange sensation to start with but then I started to run with it and..

Oh..my poney! Where is this bounce coming from? this is crazy. Pace stated picking up like magic and I recovered my stride very quickly. The speed, the heart rate, the bouncy energy return, the dynamics and all that stuff, everything felt better. The shoes felt way more natural once I ran. It was a very confortable run too and this has to do with the thickness of the carbon plate imo (1mm vs. 2mm for Nike). It's not too thick, hence gives it more flex which is helping not damaging your joints and bones while running. We read a lot of comments about carbon sole shoes being counterproductive on the long run and potentially unhealthy for your body but to me it's not the case here.

Still looking very good after 100k

WHO IS IT FOR?

The shoes is clearly made for tempo runs but not to help you achieve a 5k PB I believe. A more suitable use of it would be for half of full marathon where you need to maintain momentum and a certain speed without being in the red zone. Well, it can be your new best friend in that category. After different types of run and around 100kms clocked with it, I am very happy with it. Tempo runs, two half marathons (including one with in a 70.3 with socks on) and few other trainings with it, I'm glad I came across Atreyu and their different view of shoes innovation.

RATING:

Well priced carbon sole plated shoes, quality run and decent amount of bounce for its weight, "The Artist" deserves an Oscar.

Disclaimer: For any avoidance of doubt, this review was not sponsored.